Heat transfer apparatus



Jan. 19, 1932. H, J GEBHARDT 1,841,528-

HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS Jan. 19, 1932. H. J. GEBHARDT 1,841,528

HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS Filed Feb. s. 1930 5 sheets-sheet s Jalh 19, 1932- H. u. GEBHARDT 1,841,528

HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS Filed Feb. s, 1930 5 snegtsheeg 4 @muy Patented Jan.r 1.9, 19312 'o Uien-iso g srams` PATENT carica:

I HENRY J. GEBHA apr, OF CHICAGO, irazINOIs,v AssIGNor. rIO Tira GEBHABDT Co.,` or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOISY Y f HEAT .TRANSFER APPARATUS Application filed February 3, 1930. Serial No. 425,434.

p l Vlliisinvention relates to heat exchange apparatus, and more particularly-.to apparatus of this kind for transferring heat fro-1n heated water to cold or partially heated Water.

Generally stated, the object of the invenfy tion is toprovide anovelandimproved cons struction whereby .pipes arranged in groups, with the groups vconnected in series in a horizontal plane, forma back and forth pathv for the water to be heated, `While an outerstrucf ture encloses said pipes and forms a backand heating` the incoming vfresh water, washfwater of this kind being ordinarilythrown vaway' without saving or using the heat thereof.

Another object is to provide an improvedA constructionv and arrangement whereby the flow of the heating water outside the pipes is up and down between the pipes, whereby the pathiof travel of the heating water isr in effect longer and the heat thereof practically all' transferred to thewater in they pipes, before the heating water leaves the apparatus.

Another object is to provide novel and improved means whereby the water to be heated is evenly or more evenly circulated in the pipes, whereby the flow may be regulated more or less, thereby Yto preventl the `water from lbecoming dormant in any ofthe pipes, and permitting the use of a large number of pipes,l of comparatively small diametenthus greatly increasing the heat exchange surface. It is also an obgect to providenovelandA improved construction whereby an appara` tus of this character may be conveniently inspected and cleanedand repaired. -f

It is yalso an object to provide. Certain dey tails and features of construction and combif' nations tending to increase the general elficiency and desirability of a heat exchange apparatus of this particular character.

To the foregoing and other usleful'ends, the invention consists of matter hereinafter rset fort-hand claimed and shown in the ae-` Another object ist-o provide an apparatus...

2 is a longitudinal vertical sectionon Vline 2-2 of Fig. 1. y I Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on linel x Figa is a detailed ycross-section illustrating the high battle. y l Y j f 'Fig. 5 is a section onf linelof Fig.

',Figs. 6 and?" are detailed perspective ofk parts ofthe baille.'

Fig. 8 is a detailed,section.illustratingthe low baflie. Y

Figs. 9 and 10 are parts ofthe low baifle.

perspective views of Fig. 11 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 12.*`

Fig. l2 is a sectionon line12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a section on line 13--13 of Fig. `12.1

detailed section on line 111-14.' Y

f Fig. 14 isa of Fig.t11.

a tank or pitl of cement or masonry or other As thus illustrated, the invention comprisesrv suitable material. The tank has parallel lon,V` gitudinal partitions 3, 4 and 5 that ydivide the l tank or container into parallel compartments 6, 7, 8 and 9, which compartments are connected in series to form a backand forth path of travel for liquid. The compartment 6 has an inlet 10 for used wash water,-,or otherv heated liquid, .and the compartment 9 has v are provided for connecting said pipe groups in series; The group 15 has an inlet conneca. tion y17 ,l and the group 12 has anjoutlet c onnection 18, as shown, forthe fresh water to be heated.

Battles areprovided transversely in the dif-l ferent ,compartments 6, v7, 8 and 9,A to cause the wash water to flow yup and down between the pipes, as follows .The VYalternate baffles 19 are relativelyhigh,

asl sh own in Fig. 4, to permit thevwater to pass under. A plate .2()v having its edges formed with grooves 21 is mountedon thepipes. i The.

baile 19.is shaped (inverted U-shape) with inner vertical edges Qtor slide downin the grooves 21, and with outer vertical edges 23 to slide down in the vertical'grooves 2&1k in holes Sto theI inlet ends of'the pipes.

base of each baille. A plate 28, similart-ot-heplate 20, is mounted onthe pipes, andthe upper plate 26 slidesdown in the grooves 29 of the tank and the grooves in the edges of the plate 28, as shown. The upper cdfgef() off the plate 27 enters the groove in the plate 28, and the lower ends of the pla-te 261 rest on the shoulders 31 of. the plate 27 as shown. Also, lower inner edffe portions ofthe plate 26 are held in guides 32 formed on. the platev 27 wherehy'theplates 26 and 27l iiiteilockto form with the plate 28 a baffle that compels the' water tov pass over after moving upward between the pipes. A small openingV 33V is provided inthe baseof the plate 27, to permit the tankorcontainerto be drained or emptied. A double flange 34 provides* ay base fory the plate-27, which rests on the floor of the tankV or container.y

To prevent stagnationof the water in some pipes as in the outer pipes of each group, the inletend of each. group has a` distributor plate 35 as shown in, Figs. ll', 12, 13' and 14 or` the drawings. TheI plate Bhas holes 36 therein toregi'ster, more or less, withV the inlet ends of the pipes held in the header 37 of each coupling: It will be seen that the ends of the'pipes a-reswaged orispun over upon the inner side of the plate 37, indicated at 3S, forming annular heads on the surface of the headerplate. rI he plate 35. has lugs 39' that bear'against the header 37, to prevent wearing away ofthe pipe ends, by the up and down adjustmentofthe plate 35, for such wearing awaywouldl'oosen the pipes. As shown, the

plate 35' slides up andf down in the guides 40' of the coupling casting, and' upper and lower set screws 41" and42a-re provided with tapering engagement with upper end lower seats 43E and '4.4i on theplate 35, whereby the latter can bek adjusted? to change the relation of tllie n elect,therefore, the distributor plate 35 V is a valve for reducing or increasing the sizeof the pipe inlets, in accordancewith thewater pressure, thereby to keep a uniform flow of water in all` the pipes. W'hen screws lli and 42' are tightened, their tapered-ends force the plate 35' toward the header 37, and the construction is preferably such that the lugsA 39 firmly engage the header-37, while the plate 3.5' ust barely touches or comes close to the pipe; ends,.thus in effect forminga practically tight valve seat on each pipe end.

I'n Figs. 2 and 3 it'willlbe seen that the tank or pit, which for convenience may be sunk in the ground, has a removable covering 45,.

which could be a floor, well above the water level in the tank. In this way, the apparatus is easily accessible, for cleaning or repairs, and the whole thing is of minimum depth. Arches 46, if desired, or any suitable means can be provided to help sustain the weight of the pipes. The low ba-llies, of course, sustain the weight of the pipes on the bottom floor of thev pit tank.

Of course.. the g-reaternuniber of pipes in cach group (while maintaining the cross actional area of the group) the greater the heat exchangesurface, and the higher the efA iciency. However, with the tubes smaller and greater inv number, the more possibility that seine of them may go dead, or become dormant, as under a variation in water pressure.y In such case, for example, the water in the outer pipes might be stagnant, while the entire effective How'would' be confined to a few pipes at thecenter of the group. rIhe distributor plates 35, however, can be ad.- j-ustedto prevent this trouble, in the manner stated. i

In etl'ect, the battles serve to lengthen the path offtravel of the laundry wash water, or other liquid', in the tank or pit, thus more effectively extracting practically all the heat from the used wash water.

`VVi'th the arrangement shown and. de- I.

scribed', there is a counterflow of the cold liquid' to 'the heated' liquid, as well as a crossflow` over the surfaces of the pipes. In addi tion, the baiile arrangement'as a whole is such that the baffles can be removed.' easily for cleaning purposes, and this includes the plateswhi'ch surround the pipes and which engage vthe Ushapec hall'les.

It will` be understood that by tank is meant anyl structure or thing that will suitably hold the ash water or other liquid 'from which itis desired to extract the heat.

It will be seen that the parallelpipes, those arranged in grou ps, are all submerged in the same horizontal plane, and that the couplings lr6 and the inlet and outlet connections 17 and'I lSare all submerged in the same horizontal plane, whereby the transfer of heat continuous throughout the entire length of the back and; 'forth pathof travel of the water flow through saidI` pipes and couplings. The compartments for the groups of pipes are all open at the tops, and the pipes and couplings.

and baliles are allI accessible from the top the tank, so that any coupling can be removed without disturbing any other coupling, and practically without disturbing the pipes. should: such become necessary for thcipur pose o'f making repairs, or for cleaning the apparatus. i

lVhat I claim my invention is 1.,.In, heat exchange apparatus, pipes arranged in groups,I horizontal couplings at opposite ends of each group for connecting the groups side by side in series to form a couplings all being of the tank. Y

' A Vh'olestherein',

tube, and means' to adjust said Vplate inthe back and forth path of travel forone fluid,in

a horizontal plane, and means formingan en. closing tank having a separate compartment` toi' cach group ofv pipes, with the compartments. arranged parallel in the saine horizontal plane, and with the compartments connected in series to form a back and forth pathr of travel for another fluid in which said pipes and couplings are submerged, said groups and accessible vfromv the top 2. A structure as specified in claim 1, said tank having an inlet and an outlet, said pipes having an inlet adjacent said outlet, and said pipes having an outlet adjacent said first mentioned inlet, preventingany flow in the pi ies in the same direction as Vtheloiv inthetank.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1said tank formingna Vdischarge conduitffor usedV Wash Water in laundry, Vand said pipes fornif ing an intake for fresh Water, whereby any heat iii the outgoin T l Q n heat the incoming fresh Water.v

4f. i structure .as specifiedin claim 1,' andY ributor adjustable at the'intake end of Rein cach moupof pipes, adapted to .prevent ,stag-7 nationoi' the ivater inthe outer pipes ofthe V. A structure as speciiied in claim l, and a distributor adjustable` aty the intake end. of each group rofpipes, adapted to prevent stag` f t* e Water in the pipe-s ofthe group, r'ior comprising a platev having Veach hole forming an inlet fora plane thereof, parallel. withy the plane of the adjacent .pipe ends. f

6. i structure.asspecilied in claim 1, said compartments having baliie-platesin position to causethe fluid in said'tank totravel up andv down between-said pipes, which baflies are all accessiblefrom above. j f f 7.' A structure as specined in claim 1, said v compartments having baffleplates in position to cause the liuid in said tankto travel up and don'n'betiveen said pipes, which baffles are all accessible from: above, said plates being some high and some low, lwith the low plates.

alternating With the high plates, there being a passage opening below each high plate, whereby theliuid passesover they low and under the high plates. f

8. A structure as specified ing some high and some low, Vivithithe lovv` plates alternating With the liigliplatesitliere being a passage opening below eacli `.liigh plate, whereby the fluid passes overthe lou"V plates and under the-'high plates, each low baffle comprising upper and lower sections x having interengagement:lV f

9. 'A structure as speen wash Water serves to plates Y `n claimfl, said j compartments having baffle-plates in position to cause they iuid in said tank to travelr up and down between said pipes, said plates be-V ied inv claim ,1, said compartments having baffle platesin position to cause the fluid in said tank toA travel up and doi'vn between said pipes, each baule coniprising a straddling plate of inverted QU! shape and a plate engaging .all the tubes and having vertical guides for inner edges of said straddling plate.

10. ,A structure as specilied in claim 1, there beinga complete counterflow ofy one liquid.

to ythe other with all of said couplings submerged in a plane below the tops of said.

11. In heat exchange apparatus, ,horif zontally disposed. parallel pipes forming heating elements, a tank for said heating elements, wherein all the pipes are submerged, said tank having an inlet and an outlet, said pipes having an inlet adjacent said outlet, and said` pipes having an outlet adjacent said lirst mentioned inlet, prevent-k ing any flow in the pipesin the same direction as the flow in the tank, said inlet and outlet of the pipes being submerged in the saine liorizontal plane. f

1Q; In heat exchange apparatus, horif zontally disposed parallel pipes forming heating elements, a tank xfoixsaid liea-ting'elef ments, wherein all the:r pipes are submerged,`

Vsaid tank `forming discharge conduit for used Wash Water in a laundry, and said pipes forming an intake for fresh Water, whereby any vheat in the outgoing Wash Water servesv to heat the incoming fresh Water, said pipes"y having aninletand an outlet submerged in the same plane. Y

ofy pipes forming heating elements, a tank having a compartment for said'heating ele-- pipes of the group, said'distributor compris-r ing a plate having holes therein. each hole 'forming aninlet fora. pipe,and means .to adjust said plate in the plane thei'eof, `parallel iviththe plane of the adjacent pipe ends.

15. In heat exchange apparatus, a group of pipes forming heating elements, a tank having a compartment for said heating -elements', with an imperforate bottom for said ccinpartment, and said compartment having Y balile-platesr in position to cause `the fluid in said tank to travel up and ydoivifibetween said pipeaand distributing means at oneqend of. said groups, tending to equalize the flow in the ditl'erent'pipes. Y

16. In heat exchange apparatus, sgroup of pipes forming heatingeleniente, atank :les 13. In heat exchange apparatus, a group ments, with an imperforate bottomv for said compartment, and said compartment having baille-plates in. position to cause the fluid in said tank to travel up and down between said pipes, said plates being some high and some low, with the low plates alternating with the high plates, there being a passage opening below each high. plate, whereby the fluid passes over the low' plates and under the'high plates, anddistributing means at one end ot' said group, tending to equalize the flow in the different pipes.

17. Inheat exchange apparatus, a group of pipes forming heating elements, a tank having a compartment for said heating element, said compartment having baille-plates in positions to cause the fluid in said tank to travel up and down between said pipes, said plates being some high and some low, with the low )lates alternating with the high plates, there eing a passage opening below each high plate, whereby the fluid passes over the low plates and under the high plates, each low baille comprising upper and lower sections having interengagement.

18. In heat exchange apparatus, a group of pipes forming heating elements, a tank having a compartment for said heating elements, said compartment having baillesplates in position to cause the iluid in said tank to travel up and down between said pipes, each baille comprising a straddling platey of in verted U-shape anda plate engaging all the tubes and having vertical guides for inner edges of said straddling plate.

19.y In heatexchange apparatus, a group of pipes forming heating elements, a tank having a compartment for said heating element-s, there being a complete counterflow of one liquid to the other, and distributing means at one end of said: group, tending to equalize the iiow in the diiferent pines.

'20. In heat exchange apparatus, pipes arranged in groups, couplings at opposite ends of eachk group for connecting the groups side by side in series to form a back and. forth path of travel for one fluid, in a horizontal plane, and means forming an enclosing tank having a separate compartment for each group of pipes, with the compartments connected in series toform a back and forth path of travel for another fluidv in which said pipes are submerged, and a distributor adjust-able at the intake end of eac i group of pipes, adapted to prevent.stagnation of the' water in the outer pipes of the group.

2l. In heat exchange apparatus, pipes arranged in groups, couplings at opposite ends of each group for connecting the groups side by side in series to form a back and forth path of travel for one fluid, in a horizontal plane, and means forming an enclosing tank having a separate compartment for each group of pipes, with the compartments connectedy in seriesto'y form a back and forth path of travel for another fluid in which said pipes are submerged, and a distributor adjustable at the intake endof each group of pipes, adapted to prevent stagnation of the water in the pipes of the group, each distributor comprisingr a plate having holes therein, each hole forming an inlet for a tube, and means to adjust said platein the plane thereof, parallel with the plane of the adjacent pipe ends.

22. In heat exchange apparatus, pipes arranged in groups, couplings at opposite ends of each group-for connecting the groups side. by sidein series to form a back and forth path of travel for one fluid, in a horizontal plane, and means forming an enclosing tank having a separate compartment for each group of pipes, with the compartments connected in series toform a back and fort-h path of travel for another fluidy in which said pipes are submerged, said compartments having bailleplates in position to cause the fluid in said tank to travel up and down between said pipes, said plates being some high and some lou/,with the low plates alternating with the high` platesthere being a passage opening below each high plate, whereby the fluid passes over the low plates and under the high plates, each low baffle comprising upper and lower sections having. interengagement.

23.,In heat exchange apparatus, pipes arranged ingroups, couplings at opposite ends of each. group for connecting the groups side by. side in series to form a back and forth path of travel for one iluid, in a horizontal plane, and means forming an enclosing tank having a' separatev eon'ipartment for each group of pipes, with the compartments connected in series to form a back and forth path of travel for another fluid in which said pipes are submerged, said compartments having baille plates in position to cause the fluid in said tank to travel up and down between said pipes, each baille comprising a straddling plate of inverted U-shape and a plate engaging all the tubes and having vertical guides for inner edges of said straddling plate.

24. In heat exchange apparatus, a group of water pipes forming heating elements. means forming a chamber for said heating elements, a distributer adjustable at one end of said group of. pipes, adapted to prevent stagnation of the water in the outer pipes of the group, tending to more or less equalize the flow ofy water in the different )i and means for introducing a heating fluid in said chamber.

25. A structure as specified in claim said distributer comprising a plate havi A holes therein, each hole forming an opt-ui' for the end. of apipe, and means to adir said plate in they plane thereof` parallel i the plane of the adjacent pipe ends, therelrv in effect to change the size of each opening.

26. A structure as specified in claim 2i,

comprising headers for the opposite ends of said group, said distributer being lenclosed in one of said headers.

27. A structure as specified in claim ,24, said distributer being adjustable simultaneously and to the same extent for each of said pipes.

28. In a Water heater, the combination of a group of lWater pipes, a distributer adjustable at one end of said group of pipes, adapted to prevent stagnation of the Water in the outer pipes of the group, tending to equalize the ow of the Water in the pipes, an outlet connection at one end of said group, and an inlet connection at the other endy of said group. Y

29. A structure as speeiied' in claim 28, said distributer comprising a plate having holes therein, each hole :forming an opening for the end of a pipe, and means whereby said plate is adjustable in the plane thereof, serving thereby in effect to change the size of each opening. f

30. A structure as speoiiied in Claim 28,

said distributer comprising means for in effeet restricting or throttling the end of each tube.

Speciiication signed this 29th day of January, 1930. f

HENRY J. GEBHARDT. 

